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~Memphis, Saqqara and the Pyramids of Giza~
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EGYPT, RIDING TO THE PYRAMIDS
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~ MEMPHIS, SAQQARA AND GIZA
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We had received permission to enter the plateau for prayer and meditation on two different nights. Our first experience began on the back of a severely asthmatic camel.
We crept through the dank alleyways on the edges of the Giza plateau as our guide led us to our awaiting camels. Daniel and I both mounted one camel, and its forward motion upon rising almost threw me over its neck. With our guide and the camel’s owner we made our way to the sandy outskirts of the plateau.
Our camel's saddle was not very deep and I felt myself slipping precariously forward. I felt like I could fly off at any moment and I gripped with all my might to stay on the poor creature, who was beginning to wheeze. The sound of a wheeze was easy for me to identify, as I had assisted asthmatic humans for many years. This was definitely the biggest wheeze I had ever heard. Our guide seemed unconcerned about our camel, though I could feel him starting to struggle underneath us. Each step was becoming more and more difficult for him. Finally, I more or less ordered everyone to stop so that I could get off of the poor beast.
He nearly fell as he got down to allow us to dismount, hitting the ground hard. To get him to arise, he had to be hit with a stick. I was quite happy to walk the long distance to the pyramids through the thick sand. When we reached them, we were led toward the smallest of the three Great Pyramids, the pyramid of Menkaure.
Our guide encouraged me to attempt to climb the rough stones of the pyramid of Menkaure. My legs were still aching from my experiences in the shafts of the Great Pyramid, my stomach felt weak, and the huge stones seemed daunting. I allowed myself to be convinced to attempt the climb, against my better judgment. After hoisting myself up a level or two, I stood upright in the darkness and soundly smashed the right side of my face on the stone directly above me. Had I not been wearing my glasses, which mercifully took the brunt of the contact, I may have severely injured my eye. I made it clear in that moment that I had no interest nor intention to climb any of the great structures. The bent metal of my glasses was fixed the next day at an optical center, and my cheekbone carried a bruise and a large welt for a few days.
EGYPT, CAMELS AT GIZA
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